Apparatus for gassing containers prior to filling thereof



Nov. 11, 1941.

A. L. KRQNQUEST APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS 'PRIOR TO FILLINGTHEREOF Filed D ec. 7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet l Nov; 11 1941. A. L.KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THERE OF '7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7', 1939 FTTORA/Y-S N 1 ,,19 1- A. L.KRONQUEST 3 3 APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOFFiled Dec 7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 4f 4Z2 3? H I: I 44 "ii 90 J6 if J4Li? J 4 5'1 a nun W, 5 l @5 I. d v. I I 93 74(5- J6 i J/VVE/I/TOI'? 8W98 2$ Nov. 11, 1941. A. 1.. KRONQUEST 2,262,635v APPARATUS FOR GASSINGCONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF.

Fileq Dec. 7. 19:59 7 Sheets-Sheet s uan rm? Nov. 11,1941. A. L,KRONQUEST 2,262,685

APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed Dec. 7,1-939 'TSheeEs-Shqet e v JM/EA/Tw? W i Nov. 11,1941. 11.1.. KRONQUEST2,262,685

APPARATUS FOR GASSING- CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed Dec.1'7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ill" f Tll ml" In y i l #70 519- I l 9 i I Imm L? P- JVVEA/TOI? Patented Nov. 1 1 1 9 41 APPARATUS FOR GASSINGCONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application December 7, 1939, Serial No. 308,092I 14 Claims.

The invention relates generally to the art of filling and closingportable receptacles and primarily seeks to provide a novel apparatusfor eiiecting displacement of air from containers about to be filled andthe replacement of the air with an inert air excluding gas.

It has long been recognized as desirable to remove air from containersinto which products are to be filled and preserved, and this isparticularly true with respect to certain beverages of which beer formsan example. It has been found that air in containers filled with beerhas a tendency to cause the beer to deteriorate and be objectionablyaffected as to both color and taste. For this reason various means havebeen employed in attempts to eliminate air from the containers duringthe packaging of beer and similar products. Attempts have been made toWithdraw air from the containers after they are filled and before theyare closed by the drawing of a vacuum in the head spaces of thecontainers, or by blowing air out of said head spaces by cross directedjets, but these methods of accumplishing the desired end areobjectionable because of tendencies to cause the beer to be displaced byrapid withdrawal of air from the body thereof or by force jet contact.Other methods of displacing air from containers have been attempted inone of which the air is displaced by directing gas into the containersthrough a tube projected into the containers so that the gas isdischarged adjacent the bottoms thereof, but such methods have beenfound objectionable because of adulteration due to admixture of the airwith the gas directed into the containers. Such methods also have beenfound objectionable because of re-adulteration by introduction of airduring the transfer of the gassed container from the gassing mechanismto the filling mechanism. Therefore, the invention has for an object toprovide a novel apparatus for definitely displacing the air fromcontainers and substantially totally replacing that air either in amanner for assuring against adulteration by air inclusion orre-adulteration by introduction of air prior to filling and closing.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in the provision ofnovel means for mechanically displacing air from the containers byintroduction thereinto of a solid walled body shaped and sized tosubstantially fill the container, and means effective, while retainingthe body in the container, for forcing a gas into the bottom of thecontainer for the purpose of forcibly expelling air not displaced by thesolid, and

means for removing the body While continuing the introduction of gas sothat air will be totally displaced from the container and totallyreplaced by the gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for introducing anair displacing plug into each container to be filled, each said plugbeing of a size and shape for displacing substantially all air from thecontainer into which it is introduced but which is spaced slightly fromthe container at the bottom and sides of the container, and means forintroducing gas at thebottom of the spacing thus provided for displacingair from said spacing, and means for continuing the introduction of gaswhile removing the plugs from the respective containers so as to whollyfill the containers with gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated in which is included a rotary turret including agassing chamber and a plurality of Vertically reciprocable chambersealing supports onto which containers are individually fed and whichserve to lift the containers into air displacing plug-receivingpositions and for again lowering said containers to effect relativewithdrawal movement between the plugs and the containers duringintroduction of gas into the containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turret of the naturestated, and means for individually lifting and lowering the individualcontainer supports through two stages, in the first stage of which saidsupport is left spaced from the gassing chamber to permitexpulsion ofair by introduction of gas into the bottoms of the containers around theplugs, and in the second stage of which each said plug serves to sealthe gassing chamber against ingress of air.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for sealingcontainers against ingress of air following the withdrawal of the airdisplacing plugs therefrom and prior to introduction of the containersinto a filling mechanism.

With these and other objects in View which will more fully appear, thenature of the invention will be more clearly understood by following thedescription, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan viewillustrating the invention mounted in cooperative relation with acontainer filling machine and a container closing machine.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic partial develop? ment'of the containersupporting block lifting and lowering cam and illustrates the relativepositions of container supporting blocks being lifted and loweredthereby.

Figure '7 is a view similar-to Figure .1 and il-- lustrates a slightlymodified arrangement of the invention.

Figure 8 is a. fragmentary vertical cross sectiontalgen on the line 8'8on Figure 7,

- The apparatus herein disclosed in illustration of the inventionincludes a feed-in mechanism generally designated A, the air displacingand gassing unit B, a rotary vturret filling machine C, and a suitableaccelerating diskv and feedaway equipment D for transferring the filledcontainers from the filling machine through a transfer-way E to theclosing machine. enerally designated The emptyv containers fed into theapparatus by the mechanism. A have the air contained therein displacedand supplanted by CO2 gas in the unit B, after which they are filledwith beer or. other beverage or product and are delivered through thefeed-away equipments D and E into the closing machine F whereinthey haveend closures secured thereon in the usual manner. See Figure 1. .It. isto be understood that following'the displacement of air from the emptycontainers and the gassingthereof, the containers are maintained in aC02 gas atmos: phere at all times when they are out of actual contactwith the filling mechanisms which serve to seal the mouths or open topsthereof so that ingress of atmospheric air into the head spaces of thecontainers or the product therein prior to sealing of the containers-isprevented. The feed-in mechanism A includesa can-rundelivery-Way 5 whichdelivers onto a supporting rail 6 and in passing over the rail 6 theempty containers move beneath a toprail l and between suitableconfiningside guides. At one side there is provideda guide rail 8 which includesan adjustably mounted end Wall portion 9, and at the other side of thefeed-way the empty containers are opposed by a feeding and timing screwIll. The screw I is rotatably supported as at I and is driven throughthe medium of a gear couple I I I2 from a driver shaft l3 rotatablysupported as at l4 and which is in turn driven through a gear couple I5from a driver shaft I6 disposed be neath the level of the screw insuitable bearings l1. i

From the floor I8 onto which the empty containers are delivered fromthefeed-way 6, 8, I0, said containers are transferred by a star Wheel ISintothe air displacing and container gassing unit B, "suitably'guidedby the arcuate 1 70'. The star Wheel I9 is secured upon the upper,

confining wall'20. See Figures 1, 2 and 4.

end of a vertically disposed shaft'li rotatably mounted in framebearings 22 and which car,- ries a spur gear'23 at its lower endand a,bevel gear ZA'intermediate'itS ends. Thebevel gear 24 meshes with abevel pinion 25 securedupon the shaft I3 and by this means rotation isimparted from the shaft 2| to the shafts l6 and I3 and the feed-intiming screw l8. ures 2 and 4.

The unit B includes a stationary frame including a base portion 26provided with a. cenas at 32, thebase plate being in turn secured as at33 upon a driving head 34 fixed upon the upper end of the shaft 28. Atits lower end the shaft 28 carries a spur gear 35 which meshes with thespur gear 23 and serves to impart rota' tion to the shaft 2| on whichsaid last named gear is mounted. The gear 35 carries a. sprocket 36 -towhich rotation is imparted in a manner later to be described. See Figure4.

The turret rotor shell includes an enlarged headportion 31 at the upperextremity thereof, and it will be observed that this enlargement extendsa considerable distance beyond the cylindrical lower portion or skirt ofthe rotor. The head portion is provided'vvith a plurality of verticalcylindrical bores 38 disposed in equidistant 1y spaced relation aboutthe axis of the rotor.

and which serve to form gassing chambers. In this particularillustration 12 such bores are shown, but it is to be understood thatthe number can be increased or diminished to suit particular demands ofuse. The bores are closed at their upper ends and they open at theirlower ends through a horizontally disposed, concentril he lower ends ofthe purpose that will cally stepped wall 39. bores are flared as at 43for a later become apparent.

A solid walled plug 4| is secured at A2 to the top or ceiling of thehead portion 3} of the rotor and depends in concentric relation withineach bore so as to confine the gassi g chamber formed. within the boreto a relatively narrow annular space. The lower extremity of each plugis tapered as at 43 and terminates flush with the uppermost steppedportion of the wall 39. Each plug 4| also includes a central bore A lwhich registers with a bore, formed in the top or ceiling of the headportion 31, thus forming a pas sagewaythrough the plug communicatingwith the gassing chamber at a point below the plug and with the spaceabove the head portion 3i through the bore provided in that portion.

connected by a pipeline 4! with any suitablesource of CO2 gas underpressure (not shown).

The base plate 3| includes a depending edge skirt portion to which aplurality of bearing members 48 are removably secured. A bearing member48 is provided for each of the gassing chambers and each such member isdisposed in axial alignment beneath one of the chambers. Ineac'hbearing'member 48 a rod 49 is reciprocably mounted, and each rod carriesan actuator roller 5ll which rides in a grooveway 5| in a cam See Fig,

The head plate is equipped,

shell 52 secured upon the base frame portion 26. At its upper end, eachrod 49 carries a supporting pad or base block 53. Each block 53isyieldably mounted as at 54 upon its supporting rod and has its headportion equipped with a replaceable wear plate 55, the upper surface ofwhich is stepfaced as at 56 and has a snug moving fit with the steppedwall 39 defining the lower terminus of the head portion 31 of the turretrotor; The inner and outer surfaces of the blocks 53 have a snug movingfit in the opposed concentric wall portions of the rotor shell 30 andthe casing shell 29, and the end surfaces of the respective blocksengage in'snug moving fit as at 51. Thus the blocks engage in gassealing contact with each other and with the opposed turret rotor andcasing shell portions. See Figures 1 and 6.

The casing shell 29 isprovided with an opening which extends from thepoint 58 at which the empty containers are fed onto the supportingblocks 53 of the turret around to the point indicated at 59. Aroundsubstantially the whole of the remainder of the turret, or from a pointjust beyond the opening terminus at 59 onward, the mutual contactrelation of the blocks 53, the turret rotor and the casing shell servetoseal the gassing chambers or bores 38 against egress of CO2 gas oringress of air. See Figures 1 and 6.

- The cam groove 5| is so shaped that the uppermost or containersupporting surfaces of the blocks 53 are presented at the level of thefloor I8 at the container receiving station, and from that point on thecam groove rises so that an upward movement will be imparted to eachblock and the empty container thereon until the block reaches the pointindicated at 60, at which time the uppermost surface of the block willhave been elevated until it is spaced only a slight distance from thestepped wall 39 of the head portion. See Figures 1, 5 and 6. Thisspacing is preferably limited to 9s of an inch and the cam grooveincludes a dwell portion which causes this slightly spaced relation ofthe parts to pertain at the point indicated at 60 to the point indicatedat 6| or a distanceslightly greater than twice the diameter of one ofthe gassing chambers or bores 38. The gassing port or recess 46 extendsto the point designated 60 and it will be obvious that while each blockis held slightly spaced from the under surface or stepped wall bottom 39of the head portion 31 throughout the interval stated, CO2 gas will beforced through the respective plug bore 44 into the lower extremity ofthe empty container and up through the very small annular spaceintervening the respective plug and said container, thereby serving toexpel all air from the container and force it downwardly through theconfined annular space surrounding the container within the cooperativebore 38 and out through the space intervening the respective block andthe head portion and the lateral opening in the casing shell 29. SeeFigure 5. By this means all air is expelled from each container as it isbeing moved through that portion of the turret travel intervening pointsdesignated 68 and SI.

Following the point designated 6|, the cam groove includes a slight liftportion and serves to lift the respective block while passing from thepoint designated 6| to the point designated 62, at the latter of whichpoints the blocks will have been raised and yieldably pressed intosealing contact with the under surface or stepped wall 39 of the headportion 31. The cam grooveis so shaped that this contact See Figures 4and 6.-

pertains from the point designated 62 to the point designated 63, andfollowing this point the cam groove serves to lower the blocks andreturn them to the initial, container receiving level hereinbeforereferred to. This lowering. of the blocks commences at the pointdesignated 63 and is completed at the point 64, and it will be observedthat the gassing port or recess 46 terminates at the point 64. While theblocks are being lowered in passing between points 63 and 64 they effecta'lowering of the container supported thereon and from which all air hasbeen expelled by forced introduction of CO2 gas, and it will be observedthat during the lowering of these containers, the CO2 gas continuingtoenter through the port or recess 46, will fill the containers andreplace air previously contained therein. Thisinrushing of gas alsoserves to fill the chamber space formed beneath the chambers 38 by thegradually increased volume occasioned by the lowering of the blocks.

The turret shell or casing is attached to the frame of the fillingmachine generally designated 0 and the head portion or filling sectionof this machine preferably is encased with a gas trapping wall orhousing generally designated 65 so that the area surrounding the fillingspouts of the filling machine will contain a C02 gas atmosphere servingto exclude atmospheric air. 'It is to be understood that the fillingmachine with which the invention is combined or connected in cooperativerelation may be of any approvedtype of the many forms of such machineswhich include filler spouts 66 equipped with sealing rings 61, fillertubes 68, and vertically reciprocable supports or pads 69 whichindividually receive the gassed containers from the turret hereinbeforedescribed and lift them into sealing contact with the sealing ringequipped spouts.

The gassed containers indicated at 10 are transferred from thesupporting pads of the gassing turret by a star wheel 1| secured'uponthe upper end of a vertical shaft 12 driven as is the star wheel l9 by agear couple 13 with the turret gear 35. The filling machine may includea gas confining housing portion 14, and since the containers aredelivered directly from the star wheel onto the receiving pads of thefilling machine which are promptly elevated to force the 7 open upperends of the containers into tight contact with the filling spout withinan atmosphere of 002, the filling operation immediately succeeds thecomplete substitution of CO2 gas for the atmospheric air previouslycontained in the containers and aeration of the beverage and inclusionof air in the head spaces of the containers above the filled beverage isavoided.

Following the filling of the containers, the filled containers arestripped from the supporting pads 3 of the filling machine by a stripperwall I5 and are engaged by the feeder fingers 16 of the acceleratingdisk D and transferred by any suitable conveying means over a feedway 11into the closing machine generally designated F. In passing from thefilling machine to the closing machine the filled containers passthrough a CO2v gas confining housing 18 and are thus presented to theclosing devices without possibility of adulteration of the beverage withatmospheric air or introduction of said air into the head spacesoverlying the filled beverage. It is to be understood that the closingmachine generally designated F may be of any approved type.

Rotation is imparted to the turret through the -medium of a driver chain19 which takes over the turret sprocket 36 and, over a; sprocket. 80?mountedion ashaft 81. which. carries a pinion. 82: enmeshed: with a ringgear 83' movable. with thefilling machine' turret.

' In operation, the air filled containers are fed one byone onto thesupporting blocks 53 ofthegassing turret. In movingfrom thev position:at:

which a container is received thereon to the point designatedv 60,, eachblock is. elevated. untilf it' comes within approximately 3 2 of: aninch from contacting the. stepped wall or bottom 39' of the head;portion". 3 1.. While the block-is passing: from the point Ell to the:point 6|, duringwhich'period it will'remadnspaced. below thehead portionin: the manner stated, CO; gas will be forced into. the bottom of thecontainer and aboutthe. outer solid wall surface of the. respective plugserving to expel thesm-all amount of air which has. not: been displacedby the introduction: of the: plug into the container during its movementto the point 60. See Figure: 5.

. As the supporting blocks lower the containers 1!! and bring about a.withdrawal ofthe plugs therefrom while: the blockszare passing from thepoint 6-2 to: the pointv 63,. the gas. continuing to flow from the lowerend of the. plug will completely fill the container and. the space.above the blockwith CO2 gas. The containers: thus. ex

cluded of all air content and filled with CO2 gas are transferred to thefilling machine where they are filled with liquid without ingress ofatmospheric air in the mannerhereinbefore described;-

By-prbportioning the' container receiving chain;- hers-i orybores '38and the solid walled plugs 41in the? manner herein described,annularspa'ces off very limited area: are provided: between the. plugand the inner walls of a container and betweenthe outer walls-ofc thecontainers and the inner walls of the chamber when'a container is positioned' in. said chamb'enpand b-y introducingthe CO2 ga's' underpressure centrally of the plug and: at the: extreme bottom of the.container, a very effici'ents driving out of air from the small space.surrounding the plug is provided for. It will be obvious also that themajor: portion of the air It is to be understood: that theunder surfacevof the casing or housing; portion of the turret intervening the starwheel H and the receiving station at which. the empty containers arepresented to'the supporting blocks is concentrically stepped in thesamemanner as is the. stepped wall 39. of

' the turret head portionv 31 sosas to engage in gas sealing contactwith the upper: concentrically stepped surfaces housing equipmentsmospheric air I InFigures 7 and 8 of the' drawings, I. have illustrateda slightly modified arrangement. of the invention in which theinfeedingunit A and'the" air excluding and gassing unit-B function in the mannerpreviously described. In. this adaptation of. the invention the star thegassed containers, from the: turret B onto a suitable feed conveyor 85ina COz.gas. atmosphere confining tunnel 8.6. having. lateral guide- 1ways 81 thereinand which delivers theagassed.

containers to a star wheel 88. within a C02 gas atmosphere confininghousing 89 includingia' hood portion 90 extending inwardly over thecontainers 10 being transferred to the. filling. machine and beneath.the filling spouts B6. of the filling machine. l invention the gassed.containers. were: delivered. directly from the gassingtuflet B to thefilling In the=previously described form of". the

machine butin this. modified disclosure, it will be noted that they areindirectly fed through a CO2 gas atmosphere confiningtunnel which per--1 mitsa spaced relation between the gassing turj ret. B and gassedcontainers are filled they may be stripped from the supporting pads ofthe machine by a suitably positioned stripper bar 91 and, delivered tothe closing machine in! the. manner hereinbe'foreidescribedr Q thefilling machine C. After the 56 of the supporting blocks 53:-Followingthe: filling of the containers they are delivered tovthe:closing machine through the 18 which enclose a COagas atmosphere andassure delivery of the containers to the closing mechanisms withoutingress of atwheel. 8.4 delivers;-

displaced from the containers is displaced by mere introduction. ofthexsolid walled plugs 41 into the containers; It will be obvious alsothat:

becauseof the close spacingof the parts'refer'red to, and because of.utilizing the gas to expel the remaining" air while the blocks 53 arespaced only: slightly below the stepped wall or bottom por-= present acontainer in the annular gassing chamber',. the flared and taperedsurfacesrof the rotor head and plug structures respectively designated Mand 43 will facilitate entrance of the con-- tainers into 'said chambersand round up any containers which mi'ghtLbe' out of round.

It is of course tobe understood that the details of structure andarrangement of parts may be variously changed and modifiedwithoutdeparting' from-the spirit and scopeo'f my invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

a support for anempty container, means for forming a confining chamberabout a container on the support, a solid walle'd plug of 'a size for"substantially filling a container, means for. bringing about relativemovement between the support and the plug for causing the latter toenter a container on the support and displace substantially all air fromthe container and then.

withdraw from said container, and means for" directingja as into saidcontainer" to replace the air displaced therefrom.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

a support for an empty container, means for forming a confining chamberabout a container onthe support, a solid walled plug of asize forsubstantially filling a container, means for bringing about relativemovement between the support? and the. plug for causingthe. latter toenter a container on the support and displace substantially all air fromthe container and then withdraw from said container, said plug having abore therethrough for communicating; with the interior bottom portion ofa container, and. means for directing a gas through the plug. bore intosaid container before; withdrawal thereof for forcing air from thecontainer not dis-'- placed :by entrance of the plug and forcontinuiingv the gas introduction during withdrawal of said plug forreplacing; with gas all air displaced fromthe container,

3; In: apparatus of. the character described;-

a support for an empty container, means for forming a confining chamberabout a container on the support, a solid walledplug of a size forsubstantially filling a container, means for bringing about relativemovement between the support and the plug for [causing the latter toenter a container on the support and displace substantially all air fromthe container andthen withdraw from said container, said plug having abore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom portion ofa container, means for directing a gas through the plug bore into saidcontainer before withdrawal thereof for forcing air from the containernot displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gasintroduction during withdrawal of said plug for replacing with gas allair displaced from the container, a container filling machine, acontainer closing machine, and means for delivering the gassed containerto the filling machine and from the filling machine to the closingmachine in an inert gas atmosphere.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a support for an emptycontainer, a body having a bore therein forming a gassing chamber onlyslightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers tobe gassed therein, a solid walled plug of a diameter only slightly lessthan the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chamber,said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interiorbottom portion of a container, means for bringing about relativemovement between the support and the plug for causing the latter toenter a container on the support and displace air therefrom and thenwithdraw from said container. and means for directing a gas throu h theplug bore into said container before withdrawal thereof for forcing airfrom the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and forcontinuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of said plug forreplacing with gas all air displaced from the container.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a support for an emptycontainer, a body having a bore therein forming a gassing'chamber onlyslightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers tobe gassed therein, a solid walled plug of a diameter only slightly lessthan the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chamber,said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interiorbottom portion of a container, means for bringing about relativemovement between the support and the plug for causing the latter toenter a container on the support and displace air therefrom and thenwithdraw from said container, and means for directing a gas through theplug bore into said container before withdrawal thereof for forcing airfrom the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and forcontinuing the gas introduction during Withdrawal ofsaid plug forreplacing with gas all air displaced from the container, said body boreand said plug respectively including flared'and tapered portionseffective to guide entrance of containers into the gassing chamber.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including ahead and empty container supporting means opposed to said head, saidhead having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamberonly slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of 75'containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plugdisposed'concentrically with respectto each gassing chamber and of adiameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers tobe gassed in said chambers,'each Isaid plug having a bore therethroughfor communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means ,for

bringing about relative movement between the for delivering gas filledcontainers from said supporting means.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, a, rotary turret includinga head and empty container supportingmeans opposed to said head, saidhead having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamberonly slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter ofcontainers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposedconcentrically with respect to each gassing chamber and of a diameteronly slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassedin said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough forcommunicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for bringingabout relative movement. between the supporting means and the plugs forcausing the latter to enter containers on the supporting means anddisplace-airtherefrom and then withdraw from said containers, means fordirecting a gas through each plug bore into a container beforewithdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container notdisplaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gasintroduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas allair displaced from said containers, means for feeding air filledcontainers onto said supporting means, means for delivering gas filledcontainers from said supporting means, and housing means associated withsaid delivery means for maintaining an inert gas atmosphere about-thegassed containers as they are being delivered away from said turret. I

8. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including ahead and empty 'container supporting means opposed tosaid head, saidhead having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamberonly slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter ofcontainers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposedconcentrically with respect to each gassing chamber and of a diameteronly slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be'gassedin said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough forcommunicating with the interior bottom of containers, means 'forbringingabout relative movement between the supporting means and the plugs forcausing the latterto enter containers on the supporting means anddisplace air therefrom and then withdraw from said containers, means fordirecting'a'ga's through-each plug bore into a container beforewithdrawal of the 'plug therefrom for forcing air from the container notdiswith the skirt and shell in ing the skirt and shell beneath the head,said placed by entrance of the plug and for continu- ,ing the gasintroduction during withdrawal of,

the plugs for replacing with gas all air .displaced from saidcontainers, .means for-feeding air ,filled containers onto saidsupporting means, and means for delivering gas filled containers fromsaid supporting means, said head and said supporting meansincludingopposed mutually engaging and engageable surface portions,effective to provide a restricted air and gas escape passage open duringthe air expulsion by gas in- 'jection functions and for sealing thegassing chambers following completion of the air expulsion and duringwithdrawal of the plugs from plug disposed concentrically with respectto each gassing chamber and of a diameter only slightly 7, less than theinternal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each saidplug having a'bore therethrough for communicating with the interiorbottom of containers, means for bringing about relative movement betweenthe supporting means and the plugs for causing the latter to entercontainers on the supporting means and displace air therefrom and thenwith draw from said containers, means for directing a gas through eachplug bore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom forforcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug andfor continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plug forreplacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, said gasdirecting means including a stationary plate having an arcuate recess inthe under surface thereof extending over and com municating with aplurality of the plug bores. and a ductfor delivering an inert gasjunderpressure into said recess, means for feeding air filledcontainers ontosaid s lpportingmeans, and means for deliveringgas filled containersfrom said supportingmeans.

' 10. In apparatus of thecharacter described, a rotary turret includinga head enlargement, and a dependingskirt, a casing 'shell'surround ingthe turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from theskirt, 'a plurality of individually reciproeable container; supportingblocks movable in contact'with each other and the space interven headhaving aYplurality of bores'therein each centered over one block andforming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter] than. theexternal diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a' solid walledplug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter onlyslightly "less than the. internal diameter of containers to be gassed insaid chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough 'forcommunieating with theinter'ior bottom of containers,

means for rotating the turret, means for suc- 3 cessively lifting the.blocks to cause the-plugs to venter containers .on the blocks anddisplace air therefrom :and then lower the blocks to bring aboutwithdrawal of the plugs from "the containers, means for directingagasthrough each f plug bore v:into a, container before withdrawal ofthe plug therefrom for :for'cing'airfroin the container not displaced byentrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction duringwithdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all airdisplaced'fromsaid containers, means for .feeding air filled-containersonto theblocks, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said blocks.V

11. In apparatus of the character describeda rotary turret including ahead enlargement and a depending skirt,,a casingshellsurrounding theturret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt,a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocksmovable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell inthespace intervening the skirt and shell beneaththehead, said headhaving a plurality of bores therein ach centered over one block andforming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than theexternal diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a

solid walled plug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of adiameter only slightly less I than the internal diameter of containersto be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a boretherethrou'gh' for communicating with the interior bottom of containers,means for rotating the turret, means for successively lifting the blocksto cause the plugs to enter containers on the blocks and displace airtherefrom and then lower the. blocks to bring about withdrawal of theplugs from the containers, means for directing a gas througheach plugbore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom forforcing air from the container not displaced .by entrance of the plugand for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugsfor replacing Withgas all air displaced from said (containers, said gasvdirecting means including a stationary. plate having an arcuate recessin,the under surface thereofextainers from sa'id b'locks.

12. In apparatusof the character described, a

rotary turret including 'a head enlargement and a depending skirt, acasing shell surrounding the turret in engagement with the head andspaced outwardly from the skirt, a plurality of individuallyreciprocable container supporting blocks movable in contact with eachother and with the skirt and shell in the space intervening "the skirtand "shell beneath thhead, said head having 'a plurality of borestherein each centered over one block and forming a gassing cham'ber onlyslightly larger in diameter'than the-external diameter of containerstobe gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed'concentrically'in eachchamber and of adiam'e'ter only slightly less than the internal diameterof contai-ners-to' be gassed in said chambers, each said plug "having -abore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom ofcontainers, means for rotating the turret, means iorsuccessively liftingthe blocks to cause the plugs'to enter containers on the blocks anddisplace air therefromand then lower the blocks to bring aboutwithdrawal of the plugs from the containers-means .for directinga'rgasithrough each plug bore iintoza container before withdrawal of theplug therefrom for [forcing air from'the container not displaced byentrance of the plug and for continuing :the gas introduction during'with drawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all air displaced fromsaid containers, said gas directing means including a stationary platehaving an arcuate recess in the under surface thereof extending over andcommunicating with a plurality of the plug bores and a duct fordelivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess, means forfeeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means for deliveringgas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having an openingtherein extending from the point at which the air filled containers arefed onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond the commencement of thegassing recess, and said block lifting and lowering means including acam effective to lift each block into and hold it for an interval oftravel in close proximity with but out of contact with the head while aplug is in air displacing relation in the container supported on theparticular block, then lift the block into sealing contact with thehead, and then lower the block after the block next succeeding has beenmoved into sealing contact with said head.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including ahead enlargement and a depending skirt, a casing shell surrounding theturret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt,a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocksmovable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in thespace intervening the skirt and shell beneath the head, said head havinga plurality of bores therein each centered over one block and forming agassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the externaldiameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plugdisposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightlyless than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in saidchambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicatingwith the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret,means for successively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs to entercontainers on the blocks and displace air therefrom and then lower theblocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers, meansfor directing a gas through each plug bore into a container beforeWithdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container notdisplaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gasintroduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas allair displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including astationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereofextending over and communicating with a plurality of the plug bores anda duct for delivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess,means for feeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means fordelivering gas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having anopening therein extending fromthe point at which the air filledcontainers are fed onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond thecommencement of the gassing recess, and said block lifting and loweringmeans including a cam effective to lift each block into and hold it foran interval of travel in close proximity with but out of contact withthe head while a plug is in air displacing relation in the containersupported on the particular block, then lift the block into sealingcontact with the head, and then lower the block after the block nextsucceeding has been moved into sealing contact with said head, each saidblock having provision for yieldably engaging said head.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including ahead enlargement and a depending skirt, a casing shell surrounding theturret in engagement with the head and spaced outwrdly from the skirt, aplurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocksmovable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in thespace intervening the skirt and shell beneath the head, said head havinga plurality of bores therein each centered over one block and forming agassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the externaldiameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plugdisposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightlyless than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in saidchambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicatingwith the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret,means for successively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs to entercontainers on the blocks and displace air therefrom and then lower theblocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers, meansfor directing a gas through each plug bore into a container beforewithdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container notdisplaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gasintroduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas allair displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including astationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereofextending over and communicating with a plurality of the Plug bores anda duct for delivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess,means for feeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means fordelivering gas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having anopening therein extending from the point at which the air filledcontainers are fed, onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond thecommencement of the gassing recess, and said block lifting and loweringmeans including a cam effective to lift each block into and hold it foran interval of travel in close proximity with but out of contact withthe head while a plug is in air displacing relation in the containersupported. on the particular block, then lift the block into sealingcontact with the head, and then lower the block after the block nextsucceeding has been moved into sealing contact with said head, each saidplug having a tapered end portion and each plug surrounding head borehaving a fiared portion for facilittaing entry of and rounding upcontainers being gassed.

ALFRED L. KRONQUEST.

